Rooney delighted with court result

Thursday 15 July 2010 14:07 BST

Wayne Rooney has defeated an attempt to sue him for £4.3 million

Wayne Rooney has said that he is "delighted" after fighting off a £4.3 million lawsuit.

The Manchester United and England striker, along with his wife Coleen, were being sued for millions in commission payments by his former sports management firm in a long-running contracts dispute - but a judge ruled that he must only pay £5,000 and his wife around £90,000.

And Proactive, which brought the case against the player, is now facing legal bills of up to £500,000, according to Rooney's lawyers.

Rooney followed the case at Manchester Mercantile Court from Barbados where he is on holiday.

Following the judgment in his favour, Rooney said in a statement: "I am delighted to have won this case. Coleen and I have always been happy to pay all commissions due to the people who were owed them.

"But these sums were a joke and we felt they were just an attempt to exploit us. Fortunately, the judge has knocked back their massively over-inflated claims and we are happy to pay the very small sum awarded. Going to court was the last thing I wanted to do.

"But you always have to fight for what's right in life and that's why we contested it. Finally, and most importantly, I would like to thank my Mum and Dad for their help, support and values they have given me."

Ian Mill QC, representing Proactive, told the court the company would consider taking the matter to the Court of Appeal. Proactive said in a statement that it was left with no choice but to bring the lawsuit against the Rooneys.

It said: "Following years of successful and harmonious representation of Mr and Mrs Rooney, it was highly regrettable that the decision by Mr and Mrs Rooney and their companies to refuse to pay outstanding invoices and to claim back sums which they had previously paid, left Proactive Sports Management Limited, a wholly owned subsidiary of Formation Group plc, with no practical choice but to bring these proceedings."

"It will continue to take all appropriate steps to ensure that it receives proper and reasonable recompense for its successful endeavours in representing Mr and Mrs Rooney and their companies over many years."